Monday, March 30, 2009
Map & Compass
While Andrew was in Boy Scouts, one of the things that I did was Map & Compass training. I did this about once per year mainly to cover some basic requirements at the earlier ranks. However, I did some more advanced training from time-to-time as well. I expanded this and covered Girl Scout requirements a couple of times too. However, right about the time that I organized it into a document laying out the details, the demand went away.
A few months ago, the troop tried to contact Andrew to help them with some Map and Compass training. Since Andrew is now living in Costa Mesa, has no car, and keeps himself very busy with other activities, he was not able to help. However, since I had the materials ready I signed up.
Last Saturday I did the class. I met the scouts at Riley Regional Park at 8am and kept them until a little after noon. We covered how to use a compass, how to read a map, and some other basic skills. I then gave each of them a topographical map of the park and had them trace a hike and profile the elevation changes. Finally, we used the map and compass to take a 1 mile hike.
They were a rowdy bunch: 17 boys in the 11 - 13 age range. Some of them really got into it, others were not interested at all. Pretty typical of past groups that I have trained (although a few more kids than I usually include). The leaders were really appreciative and I enjoyed getting the chance to use my materials again (and get out on a very nice day).
For the record, the Scouts completed these requirements:
* Demonstrate how a compass works and how to orient a map. Explain what map symbols mean.
* Demonstrate how to find directions during the day and at night without using a compass.
* Using a compass, complete an orienteering course that covers at least one mile and requires measuring the height and/or width of designated items (tree, tower, canyon, ditch, etc.)
The requirements have changed slightly from when I developed the course. However, I still cover the new requirements. This could be done in much less time than I spend, but I want to give them a chance to try out their skills and really learn it. Most of them will promptly forget everything, but for some it will stick. Maybe some basic land navigation will come in handy for some of them someday!
A few months ago, the troop tried to contact Andrew to help them with some Map and Compass training. Since Andrew is now living in Costa Mesa, has no car, and keeps himself very busy with other activities, he was not able to help. However, since I had the materials ready I signed up.
Last Saturday I did the class. I met the scouts at Riley Regional Park at 8am and kept them until a little after noon. We covered how to use a compass, how to read a map, and some other basic skills. I then gave each of them a topographical map of the park and had them trace a hike and profile the elevation changes. Finally, we used the map and compass to take a 1 mile hike.
They were a rowdy bunch: 17 boys in the 11 - 13 age range. Some of them really got into it, others were not interested at all. Pretty typical of past groups that I have trained (although a few more kids than I usually include). The leaders were really appreciative and I enjoyed getting the chance to use my materials again (and get out on a very nice day).
For the record, the Scouts completed these requirements:
* Demonstrate how a compass works and how to orient a map. Explain what map symbols mean.
* Demonstrate how to find directions during the day and at night without using a compass.
* Using a compass, complete an orienteering course that covers at least one mile and requires measuring the height and/or width of designated items (tree, tower, canyon, ditch, etc.)
The requirements have changed slightly from when I developed the course. However, I still cover the new requirements. This could be done in much less time than I spend, but I want to give them a chance to try out their skills and really learn it. Most of them will promptly forget everything, but for some it will stick. Maybe some basic land navigation will come in handy for some of them someday!
# posted by - Rob @ 11:20 AM 
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Just out of curiosity - do you include using a GPS at all?
I was just wondering if there's any comparing/contrasting that happens.
I think Diana did Orienteering on a camp, but I don't recall being part of that.
I was just wondering if there's any comparing/contrasting that happens.
I think Diana did Orienteering on a camp, but I don't recall being part of that.
Yes, the Girl Scouts are more high tech about navigation and include GPS in their requirements (at least for the badges that we did). In fact, when I first did this course for Celeste's Girl Scout troop and they needed GPS training is when I bought my first handheld GPS. That is also when I first tried Geocaching.
I talk about GPS in the course when it comes up, but I ran short of time last weekend and the topic did not come up.
When it does come up, there is plenty to compare/contrast.
I talk about GPS in the course when it comes up, but I ran short of time last weekend and the topic did not come up.
When it does come up, there is plenty to compare/contrast.
We did some geocaching in Calico with the troop this weekend. One of the other leaders was showing the boys his GPS, and asked them "Suppose the batteries died in this GPS and you were lost: what would be useful to have along?" Nice segueway to introduce the compass. Except I answered loudly: "spare batteries".
So there I am with a bunch of scouts and I have the compass. So I throw it as hard as I can and yell, GO FIND IT!
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